It's public knowledge that people here seldomly care for japanese games. Add that to the fact that this game certainly has some content that is way out of the PG13 tier and you'll understand my hesitation before deciding to post this. At any rate, it's Atlus (Shin Megami Tensei series, Persona series) we're talking about here, one of the few game companies worth following nowadays; plus it seems that this game has something of fresh we're so desperate for.

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In the latest issue of the Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, the well-known publisher/developer Atlus has revealed Catherine, a new and extremely adult-centric action adventure game for the PS3 and Xbox 360. With key members of the Persona team working on Catherine, the game could be more than a trippy adventure filled with some anime t&a.

Catherine doesn’t have the typical plot one would expect from an Atlus game let alone a Japanese action adventure title. Gamers follow Vincent, a 32 year-old man who’s at a stage in his life in which he doesn’t know what he wants from love. But this changes when Vincent meets Catherine, a buxom 22 year-old lady. Despite meeting Catherine and her being his type, Vincent ends up having nightmares, which surprisingly is where the core of the gameplay takes place.

Vincent’s dream world is indeed an odd one based on the Famitsu screens. With a world that consists of never-ending staircases, bi-pedal goats and pure traumatic events (Vincent walking around in just his boxers), it looks like we’re going to get an experience that hasn’t yet been shown before in games.

If it wasn’t obvious by now, Catherine is a game that’s being made directly with a mature audience in mind. And by mature I don’t mean for the type that likes dudebro games and tons of blood. With a focus on nightmares, relationships, a healthy amount of anime cleavage and an underlying mystery, Catherine kind of seems like a mix of a David Cronenberg movie and a Suda 51 game.

Catherine is currently set for a winter release in Japan for the PS3 and Xbox 360. A North American/European release wasn’t discussed but is likely to happen as Atlus’ previous games have been released outside of Japan.

It's an Adventure game, or so the devs claim. It seems like a collection of minigames of sorts. There's also a texting gameplay, as seen here:

YouTube Video

As much as it looks bizarre, I have an almost unhealthy trust in those guys. I know some peeps who are kinda disappointed at the shown gameplay but I remain faithful. Persona always looked bizarre too and look at what they did. 'Sides, who knows, if this block-hiking thing is really the core gameplay (which it probably is once you look at the achievements list - highly "spoilerful" or so I'm told), it might be fun.

Finally, a remarkable quote from Destructoid on these leaked achievements:

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Originally Posted by Destructoid

The ones I can tell you about, though, are the bits that reveal more about how this action-puzzler will play. Achievements for using special "Jump Stones" and triggering chain explosions also abound, including helping other characters with their problems. Methinks Vincent might not be exploring just his own nightmares.

Other, quirkier achievements include outlasting all other patrons at the Stray Sheep bar, answering texts, and listening to information about the many drink mixes available at the bar. Incidentally, getting plastered at the bar does in fact make Vincent more agile in the nightmare world.

I can't wait for some folks to freak out about Catherine supposedly promoting alcoholism. Then again, given what happens to men who cheat on their girlfriends in the game, you could also say it promotes monogamy.

I mean, I'm not sure I'd be showing the boxers or the pillow around, but the shirt is well-worth it.

I'm so conflicted over this thing XD, the balance between awesome and shame is constantly shifting, haha.

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Originally Posted by Taak Farst

I haven't even HEARD of any of them except for Mario. I HAVE played the original mario games, if that helps.

O_o .oO(wut?) But seriously even if you've never played the games I'd figure that at the least everyone with a remote interest in video games would know who Link is and to a lesser extent Snake. Though to be fair I suppose that most 'uneducated' gamers usually start off thinking Link is actually 'Zelda'.

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Originally Posted by Blix

I've heard of this game, the character designs remind me a lot of Persona. I think it looks pretty awesome to be honest.

That's because the Persona team developed this game. Which is awesome.

"Women are like sunsets… they’re beautiful, but there will be a different one tomorrow." - Gilder

I'm sorry, a life without Mario, Link, Snake, Samus, Vic Viper et al must have sucked.

Nah, my life's actually been pretty awesome so far, possibly because gaming's never been my main form of recreation, just a very enjoyable secondary one. Thanks for the concern though. (I'll admit my post was a bit of a lie though. I have been interested in Snake and Samus' games, just never enough to actually buy and play them. Partly because I've done very little console gaming.)

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Originally Posted by Lynk Former

Not to mention the fact that gaming wouldn't have gotten as far as it has without those Japanese created characters...

Just because I don't have much interest in playing them doesn't mean I don't appreciate what they've done for the medium.

However:

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Originally Posted by Taak Farst

I haven't even HEARD of any of them except for Mario. I HAVE played the original mario games, if that helps.

I don't even understand how this is possible.

Edit: Didn't realize I'd opened this window an hour ago, a lot of posts since I initially looked.

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Originally Posted by Taak Farst

Am I gonna be flamed throughout the forums for this? I believe we have been to the moon. I just believe the original moon landing was a hoax.

Realistically, yes, you will. I'd say it's not as much flaming as it is friendly(ish) mockery. Hey, at least you know what you're best known for around here. You're the Moon Landing Hoax Guy. I still think it's an absurd opinion, for many reasons, but it's harmless, so I personally don't mind it much.

I'm so conflicted over this thing XD, the balance between awesome and shame is constantly shifting, haha.

Wouldn't be the nerdiest thing I've ever dressed (although, I admit, I have an acute sense of personal fashion which usually don't include game themes) and besides the average joe will think of it as just another humor-attempt t-shirt.

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Though to be fair I suppose that most 'uneducated' gamers usually start off thinking Link is actually 'Zelda'.

Wouldn't be the nerdiest thing I've ever dressed (although, I admit, I have an acute sense of personal fashion which usually don't include game themes) and besides the average joe will think of it as just another humor-attempt t-shirt.

I was mostly referring to the pillowcase... I can't even imagine the looks/questions I would get from my friends if they came over and saw that thing chilling on my bed.

"Women are like sunsets… they’re beautiful, but there will be a different one tomorrow." - Gilder